Q&A

True. My generation certainly grew up hearing, and believing, in this
statement. But it doesn't stop most of us from rushing out in the
morning fortified with only a cup of coffee and toast. However, in an
estimated 40 percent of American families, there isn't even an adult
present in the kitchen to urge children to finish their breakfast. So
more children skip breakfast than any other meal. This is one adage
that may end with this generation, unfortunately.

While no on has proven conclusively that breakfast is the most
important meal of the day, it's at least of equal importance with
lunch and dinner. Nutritionists warn that your body burns the energy
from food within four hours. Although you may use up less energy
while you sleep, it's a long time until morning and you still make up
with the need for lots more fuel.

Some studies have shown that children who skip breakfast don't do
as well in school. Besides lack of energy, we all know how tough it
is to concentrate when your stomach's rumbling and you're counting
hours until lunch.

In addition, a recent Canadian study suggests that skipping
breakfast may increase the chance of a heart attack. It's been known
that the incidence of heart attacks is highest in the first few hours
after waking. According to the study, the blood protein beta
thromboglobulin, which increases as blood cells prime themselves for
clotting, averaged nearly three times higher in people who did not
eat breakfast.

So, there's no doubt the importance of breakfast is more than just
an old wives' tale. The problem comes in following the advice. How do
you find time to make a proper meal and then make time to eat it?

The American Health Association recommends that breakfast should
supply at least one-fourth of the daily food needs. And it's
important to include a variety of foods to supply energy until the
next meal. Carbohydrates (bread, for example) can be digested in
as little as 30 minutes; however, protein (eggs, milk, meat, cheese)
lasts longer, and can help you make it to lunchtime.

Many nutritionists say one answer is in expanding the common idea
of what constitutes breakfast. Foods like pizza, peanut butter and
jelly sandwiches, hearty soups and fruit milk shakes are all
perfectly acceptable - and more likely to be eater by children. As
for the question of preparation time, or lack of it, why not try
recycling leftovers from the previous dinner. If, like me, you wake
up in the morning barely capable of pouring cereal into a bowl, you
can always spend a few minutes at night making a breakfast that only
needs a quick nuking in the microwave, or can be eaten cold. Ever try
leftover pizza right from the fridge? Not bad!